so i've long wondered this but never really asked:
what exactly are some 'staple' items that would go in a rack?
what are all the items in this picture, for example [i recognize a few obvious ones like compressors, pres, and interfaces but what else]?

From my mic preamp--is it better to "line out" from +4dBu balanced or
-10dBv unbalanced?

Is there a difference in sound quality?, Line noise? Etc...

Could you explain the pros and cons of both.

Much appreciated

--Stephen Patrick
voice@haylanstudios.com

Greetings,
I've been writing and recording acoustic guitar songs for some time. However, I don't understand the technical points of recording and often find my songs sounding far from professional. I'm looking for suggestions.
Here are two songs I recorded in the last few months:
Controlling the transmission of Impact sound through floors

"It’s getting noisy out there. The FCC changeover to digital television and reallocation of the 700MHz band will bring a rush of newcomers into the bands currently utilized by the professional AV industry. The license auctions begin in January, 2008, and the battle lines have been drawn.

Okay, so I've just had a couple thoughts that I thought I'd share. Some of you will say "DUH!"; others may find this very valuable.

Hi!
I have found this Phonic firefly 808. What do you think about it. Is it good? What would be the bad thinks about it? I'll use two of them. I'll have 5 condensators, 8 dynamic mics. And one instrument ( jack 1/4 ).
Kruper

Take your stabs at this studio, i find it laughable sometimes

Overkill?

90 degree off axis overheads attempting XY?

I'm looking to record vocals, guitars, bass, acoustic guitars, and midi at home. I have studio experience as I've worked as an intern for 2 years in a decent studio across town. I've come up with some basic items to record 1 track at a time. Give me some feedback on this chain.

Im looking into recording but i dont really know where to start. Im looking into recording acoustic with vocals a little piano and some drums but what do i need. A recorder, softwear, types of mics. Just anything that can start me off.

Thanks
Info that a high school student can understand would be appriciated.

I could use some advice, sometime in january or febuary I will be buying a new interface to help get my freelance producing going. If I buy the m-audio ProjectMix would that be a great start or what? I basically will be using it to record bands with a DAW. I want something that gives me great sound and great control on a professional project studio level.